practice

  1. The first measurements of blood pressure were made in 1726 by the English botanist, physiologist, and clergyman, Stephen Hales. Hales performed several experments on horses deemed "unfit for service". You must recall that at the time horses were primarily used as working animals. Those that were seriously injured, chronically ill, or otherwize unable to perform their duties were routinely slaughtered and eaten. Read Hales' description of one such experiment.

    In December I laid a common Field Gate on the Ground, with some Straw upon it, on which a white Mare was cast on her right Side, and in that Posture bound fast to the Gate; she was fourteen Hands and three Inches high [150 cm]; lean, tho' not to a great Degree, and about ten or twelve Years old. This and the above-mentioned Horse and Mare were to have been killed, as being unfit for Service ….

    Then laying bare the left Carotid Artery, I fixed to it towards the Heart the Brass Pipe, and to that the Wind-Pipe of a Goose; to the other End of which a Glass Tube was fixed, which was twelve Feet nine Inches long [388 cm]. The Design of using the Wind-Pipe was by its Pliancy to prevent the Inconveniencies [sic] that might happen when the Mare struggled; if the Tube had been immediately fixed to the Artery, without the Intervention of this pliant Pipe.

    There had been lost before the Tube was fixed to the Artery, about seventy cubick Inches of Blood [1.15 L]. The Blood rose in the Tube in the same manner as in the Case of the two former Horses, till it reached to nine Feet six Inches Height [290 cm]. I then took away the Tube from the Artery, and let out by Measure sixty cubick Inches of Blood [0.98 L], and then immediately replaced the Tube to see how high the Blood would rise in it after each Evacuation; this was repeated several times, till the Mare expired ….

    Given that blood has a density of about 1035 kg/m3 determine the blood pressure of this poor, unfortunate horse.
  2. Determine the maximum height that a lift pump can raise water from a well.
  3. When the human body is accelerated vertically, blood pressure in the brain will drop. Determine the maximum vertical acceleration that a human can withstand before losing consciousness; that is, determine the acceleration that would reduce the blood pressure in the brain to zero. Assume a typical systolic pressure of 16 kPa and that the base of the brain is 20 cm above the top of the heart. (Blood has a density of about 1035 kg/m3).
  4. Astronomical Pressures.
    1. Derive an expression for the pressure in a spherical, astronomical body with uniform density.
    2. Use this formula to estimate the pressure at the center of …
      1. the earth
      2. the sun

conceptual

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numerical

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algebraic

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calculus

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statistical

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investigative

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worksheets

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